Kibwana, MP resolve differences

PHOTO/JOY NDINDA
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana (right) with Mbooni East Constituency MP Kisoi after the two agreed to work together, at Kilome MP Regina Ndambuki’s home-coming party last week.

What you need to know:

  • Legislator pledges support for the governor whom he had accused of abetting graft in the county government
  • There are no permanent enemies in politics, but friends who keep on differing

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana and Mbooni East MP Michael Kisoi have agreed to work together after resolving their differences.

The MP has been Prof Kibwana’s fiercest critic since he became governor. The legislator backed county assembly members opposed to Kibwana’s leadership style.

While the governor ironed out differences with the MCAs, Mr Kisoi remained a staunch critic until last weekend at Kilome MP Regina Ndambuki’s homecoming party at Muluni Primary School when they publicly declared before a cheering crowd that they would work together.

“I ask Mr Kisoi to forgive me for any differences we might have heard in the past. Let bygones be bygones,” Prof Kibwana said.

Mr Kisoi, who is a first-time MP and the son of independence hero Kisoi Munyao, pledged his support to the governor.

The relationship between the two politicians soured when Prof Kibwana accused Mr Kisoi of openly supporting the Jubilee government while he had been elected on a Cord ticket.

On the other hand, Kisoi has been critical of Kibwana, accusing him of presiding over corruption perpetuated by staff in his administration.

Good example

Former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka lauded the two for setting a good example.

“There are no permanent enemies in politics. Let us all be friends and work together to develop our people,” he said.

Mr Ndambuki urged residents to give Prof Kibwana time to deliver on his campaign promises.

“It is good that our two leaders have chosen to work together. This is the spirit that should be encouraged countrywide, politics of 2017 can take a back seat for now. I will work with the governor for the good of the people,” she said.

In October last year, Prof Kibwana threatened to resign, citing differences with MCAs.

The governor, who was subsequently then admitted to hospital suffering from high blood pressure, blamed his condition on the dispute with the county ward representatives over the use of funds.

The MCAs were pushing for more cash for their perks.